Last week, I suggested we were being played for suckers by a couple of big boy energy outfits urging us to vote their way on Question 1.
You know what it is all about by now: It is a…
Columns
’Round Town
Seasonal cottages are wonderful especially when they become unseasoned. When visitors close up and depart, old Uncle Bob gets to visit. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't lurk…
Smart homes can bring all of our systems, devices and even appliances online. If this is a route you’re taking, know that smart homes need smart security.
When setting up a new device, be…
The next Senior Center supper will be Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 4:30 p.m., with chicken soup, salad and garlic bread, and at 5 p.m., the entree of eggplant parmigiana…
A Bird’s Tale
One of the wonderful things about the hobby of watching birds is its universality. No matter where you go and whatever else you are doing, chances are you will see or hear birds.
We had…
Joe’s Journal
On Nov. 2, we will go to the polls to vote on a ballot question that maybe the most expensive ($71.82 million) citizens’ initiative in Maine’s history.
It is all over the proposed…
’Round Town
We got the last train to Clarksville! And the last boat to Monhegan over the holiday weekend. It was a perfect day for the crossing and for the island. A little roll on the way…
From the Maine Senate
With the leaves changing, it’s clear that fall is in full swing – even if some days it still feels like summer. I hope you and your family are enjoying one of Maine’s most beautiful seasons and…
Where it’s at
As I write this, foliage was expected to hit its peak this weekend (Oct. 16 and 17) and next weekend (Oct. 23 and 24). My plan: Drive around this peninsula and then onto Damariscotta and check out…
For the past few months thousands of robocalls have been hitting U.S. phone lines claiming to be “Becky, from Medicare.” And trust us, this is a conversation you’ll…
The Board of Trustees have agreed that a price increase is needed for the Senior Center Suppers. The new price will be $10 for members and $12 for non-members.
Cribbage scores: Tuesday,…
From the assistant editor
You don’t have to be in a good mood to read a Phil Di Vece column.
If you are up, Di Vece’s approach and bounty of information and recollections will lift you higher; if you are sluggish…
Joe’s Journal
I know many of our neighbors have been vaccinated and many of us still wear masks when going to the post office or the store.
I get it. Stay safe. If Mr. COVID grabs you by the lungs, it…
’Round Town
I am reminded of the song by my third cousin twice removed, Joni, “Clouds.” “I've looked at clouds from both sides now, from up and down and still somehow, it's clouds' illusions I recall, I…
A Bird’s Tale
Loons are among Maine’s beloved birds. But many people don’t realize that there are several species of loons, in addition to the most familiar, the common loon, that we see and hear each summer on…
The next Senior Center supper is Wednesday Oct, 20 at 4:30 p.m. There will be lentil soup and salad, the entree will be baked chicken with roasted potatoes,…
’Round Town
Sometimes after many years of frequent flyer miles you come to think that you know the route pretty well. But, when travel plans change, you may have to rethink how to get from…
Joe’s Journal
The other morning, sometime before the sun peeked over the hill, my bride whispered in my ear. “Honey, I’m cold. Could you get out of bed and find that other blanket for me?”
Of course, I…
A Bird’s Tale
No one would call the sounds that they make “musical” or “pretty.” Regardless, the low croaks and loud raucous squawks of common ravens are among our favorite sounds in the bird world. There’s…
I was 18 years old when the U.S. Supreme Court guaranteed a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions in Roe v. Wade. If you’ve only known an America where abortion was safe and legal,…
In cribbage results, Sept. 28 at 9:30 a.m., with 16 players present, first went to Stuart Wyman, 839; second, Arlene Steen, 818; third, Nancy Wright, 813; high hand, 21, Diane Robinson; and low…
Boothbay Region YMCA: Community Catalyst for Good
Imagine this scenario—it’s 7:50 a.m. on a weekday morning at the Boothbay Region YMCA’s Emery Pool. The lap swimmers are finishing up their sets as the locker room…
Utility scams heat up as the temperatures rise (and when they fall), so much so that the Federal Trade Commission ranks utility impostors among the top reported scams. In this one, you typically…
The next meeting of Garden Club of Wiscasset is Oct. 7 in the dark blue, Education Center Building at Maine Tasting Center on Route 1 in Wiscasset with parking behind, on Old Bath…
A Bird’s Tale
It’s been just about a month since we saw our last “flying cigars”—the stubby, dark gray chimney swifts that zip around above town, their wings moving so fast they are a blur. Most are now well to…
’Round Town
“Mung Bean” did not exist in Boothbay Harbor in 1975. I know, because I checked! The shop did exist, however, in a small way in Coopers Mills. It was Sue and Steve's original location and their…
Joe’s Journal
Those of you who live in or near the woods know this story by heart.
It began the other morning, as I got up at the usual time, swallowed my pills, washed my face, and wandered downstairs…
opinion: Making the grid more climate resilient will take planning grounded in science and localized power generation
In the wake of Ida, a hurricane …
Criminals know that fear is the best motivator, and nothing drives fear more than a loved one in trouble. This is why scams targeting grandparents seem never to go away.
…October suppers at the Senior Center will be on Wednesdays. The cost is $9 for members and $11 for non-members. Reservations are needed…
A Bird’s Tale
Forests are incredibly important for birds.
Most of us probably know that intuitively.
Common species like chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers that visit our backyard bird…
Salt ’n Spar
Over the past month, my wife and I have been spending our evenings watching the original “Dark Shadows,” the old television series featuring ghosts, witches, and the vampire, Barnabas Collins. The…
Joe's Journal
Last week, it was hard to keep up with the news. The TV/newspaper universe provided lots of fodder for the nation’s anger and argument society.
Here are a few highlights.
We saw…
’Round Town
During a recent wedding at Newagen Seaside Inn on Southport Island, while photographing with a newly married couple, out of the corner of my eye, “when what to my wandering eyes should appear but…
From the Maine Senate
Mainers take our duty to participate in our democracy seriously. Maine consistently…
Where It’s At
I haven’t written about the art of Brad Betts for a very long time. I realized this when I was at his Down East Gallery to interview Cilla Alden about her featured show there.
Brad’s…
Boothbay Region YMCA: Community Catalyst for Good
This summer the Y asked members, seasonal visitors, donors, and people of all ages who came through our doors to list their reasons they love the Y. The inside wall was dotted with over 70…
As more of us catch on to scam calls to our smartphones and block them or don’t answer them, scammers have taken to texting. “Smishing” is the term of art: SMS + phishing. Just as…
The next Senior Center supper is Wednesday, Oct. 6. Doors open at 4 p.m., vegetable soup and salad bar are available starting at 4:30, and the entree of pot roast with mashed sweet potatoes,…
From the U.S. House of Representatives
Democracy is at stake. In the United States of America, more than a dozen states have enacted laws to make it harder for Americans to vote. As of today, over 400 voter suppression…
Where it’s at
The autumn equinox is Sept. 22, at approximately 3:21 p.m. We will welcome a new season and bid farewell to summer. And with summer’s passing, we will also be saying goodbye to a few of our…
A Bird’s Tale
Cousin Lisa, who lives in Boothbay, has sent us some interesting bird photos of late. She sent one of an albino common raven that a friend had seen in northern Maine. That must have been a ghostly…
Joe’s Journal
In the aftermath of the Civil War, Congress adopted a trio of Constitutional amendments granting full citizenship to four million former slaves.
The 13th banned slavery. The 14th granted them…
’Round Town
Generally, I'm not a morning person, nor am I a late night person. Not sure what you call someone like me? A midday person maybe, among other things! However, on occasion, I do get out early in…
The next Senior Center supper will be Wednesday, Oct. 6. Doors open at 4 p.m., vegetable soup, rolls and salad bar at 4:30, pot roast, sweet potatoes and broccoli at 5, followed by…
Conservation success stories are always cause for grand celebration. Here in Maine, we think of the return of wild turkeys, the restoration of Atlantic puffins and other seabirds, and, of course,…
Joe’s Journal
The tail end of Hurricane Ida deposited 1.8 inches of rain in the rain gauge hanging off my back deck.
That is a lot of rain in a day, but it was nothing compared to the deluge that Mother…
’Round Town
Considering the messes of late, i.e., fires, storms, floods, COVID, etc., I thought it might be nice to share something a little less troubling.
We, as a…
Where It’s At
I’ve written about the tapestries of Priscilla May Alden a few times over the past nine or 10 years. And there’s a reason for that: I love her art and I love to write about it. All that warp (…
The next Senior Center supper will be Wednesday, Sept. 15. Dinner needs to be by reservation at 882-8230 by 5 p.m. on Sept. 13. Door…
